Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends where they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: They each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. 

 Suddenly she breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyful reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hand again caresses the beloved head and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

~ M. A. Preston~

8/19/94-9/28/07

Katie is the reason I became involved in dog sports at all. She was the lone survivor of her litter and had personality in bucketloads from the minute she started to walk; that personality led us to sign up for a beginning obedience class when she was about 6 months old. She showed an aptitude for learning and earned her CD at age 2, CDX at 3, UD at 4, and UDX at 6. She remains one of only 2 smooth dachshunds to earn the UDX. She went on to earn 21 OTCH points, qualified for the NOI three times, and was HIT at the Dachshund Club of America national specialty show in 2002 and HC at DCA 2003. 

She made her agility debut at DCA 2003 at age 8, never having run more than a few obstacles at a time prior to that. She qualified easily. She went on to earn her NAP and AJP before being retired because of breathing issues.

In the field, Katie had a lot of fun and, on occasion, showed talent. She earned 40 points with 2 second-place finishes and 2 third-place finishes. She was most famous for her reaction to the excitement of the field--she attacked the brush with her pearly whites. Even thorns didn't discourage her from chomping down on any twig that got in her way. Her last time in the field was at DCA 2006 when she ran in the veterans class; she had a good time, thanks to the bunny having considerately opted for the path, and then looked back to me for guidance on what to do next. Classic Katie--"now what, Mom?" was her favorite expression.

Katie was and always will be my heart; I was incredibly fortunate to have such a special girl for so long, and I have a multitude of wonderful memories to comfort me in her absence. I take solace in knowing that her mama Lucie, who died last year, is now cleaning her face for her as she did so often when they were both here with me.

Katie, I can never thank you enough for everything you taught me and continue to teach me. I will miss you forever.

Shema was my third American Eskimo dog and the first to be born in Chattanooga, TN after I moved east in 1986. She is the mother of my home born and raised AKC MACH dog (Running Bear) and the mother of my first nursing home trained and titled therapy dog (Shelbi Snostorm). She had 6 puppies in the only litter she had and both that I kept show her spirit and tenacious love of life. 

Shema loved hiking and camping. She especially enjoyed sleeping in the tent with me at night. At dark, while on camping or backpacking trips, she would go and sit in front of the tent door as if to say, "come on now, its bedtime!". She was the dominant dog of my pack in my home. She always slept on my right side until she became too in danger of falling off of the bed. She was the "serious dog" in my house who made sure everyone followed the rules. I have no doubt that she would have defended me to the death should anyone ever have bothered me. 

Shema gladly donated her blood when Cornell University requested blood samples so they could continue research for a test for Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This research did result in a test for PRA being placed on the market by Optigen and Shema was an "A".  (picture coming soon)

U-CD Desaray's King of Khaos, CD CGC

"Khaos"

5/18/95 - 5/25/05

Owned and loved by Melodi, Mark, Chelsea, & Cole

UCD Wildrose Rowdy Blue CDX OAP OJP

"Rowdy"was my "heart dog"...my soul mate...the most wonderful dog anyone could every ask for. He was my Novice "everything" dog. He was such an amazing dog for my first dog ever to train. Hopefully, he has found Khaos by now and they are both sitting with my parents and my mom is feeding them both from the table! Her favorite thing to do...and the dogs never hated it too much either.

Copyright © 2008 The Obedience Club of Chattanooga, Inc